Dispensing device for detergents



Nov.` 12, 1940.

c. M. MOORE 2,221,487

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DETERGENTS Filed Sept. 7, 1939 Patented Nov. 12, 1940"" DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DETERGENTS Clark M. Moore, Evanston, Ill., assignor to The Diversey Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application September 7, 1939, SerialNo. 293,845

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device for detergent solutions, and more particularly to a dispensing device which is adapted to be operated automatically by a washing machine, such as a dish, can, bottle, bakepan, or metal washing machine.

In the operation of washing devices, particularly dish washing devices, the maintenance of a proper proportion of detergent in the washing liquid is a considerable problem which, up to the present invention, had not been satisfactorily solved. Itis advisable that the amount of detergent fed into the system be automatically regulatable, but in practice it has been diicult to do this because in the supply line the detergent solution By means of the present invention both of these diiculties and other diiculties, which will occur to those familiar with` the problem, are overcome by the provision in combination of a detergent float chamber of constant level and a vari- /ablevolume measuring chamber, the operation of which is made independent of the speed of operation of the machine.

'Ihe invention is illustrated in the drawing, in which the figure is an elevational view partly in section of the device. In the drawing I0 indicates a detergent reservoir of large volume, and II` represents a connection` leading therefrom through a screen or filter `I2 to a float chamber I3. The oat chamber is of relatively small volume, compared with that of the reservoir, and is provided with a oat I4 suitably connected with a valve I5 which opens and closes the outlet I6 of the line I I. The float chamber is provided with an air vent I1 which rises to a level above that of the liquid in the reservoir lil. The entire float chamber is movably mounted upon a standard I8, to which it is detachably secured as by the bolt I9. Upward or downward movement of the oat chamber need not affect the reservoir inasmuch as the line II' is preferably flexible. The second flexible connection 2U connects the float chamber through a three-Way cock 2| with the graduated,

transparent, measuring chamber 22. The measuring chamber is provided with an air vent 23 which is vented above the liquid level in the reservoir I0. A line 24 leads from. the three-way cock 2l to the Washing device, which is not shown.

The three-way cock is actuated by the lever arm 25, which is adapted to be attached in any suitable fashion to a moving part of the washing mechanism or an independent or synchronized source of power. 10

In the operation of the device, the reservoir is filled with a solution of any suitable detergent composition. This solution passes through the line II and the lil-ter I2, out of the orifice I6 and into the float chamber I3. yDuring this operation -the three-way cock may be in the position shown in the drawing, and the liquid in the float chamber and in the measuring chamber accordingly rises to the same level; When the float chamber has lled to its constant level, no more liquid 20 flows in. At this stage thelevels in the float chamber and in the measuring chamber are as indicated in the drawing. The washing mechanism may then be started, whereupon in due course the lever arm 25 is actuated to turn the three-way cock one-quarter revolution in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby connecting the measuring chamber to the line 24 and emptying the chamber. Shortly thereafterthe actuating mechanism is timed to restore the valve to its original position, again permitting the measuring chamber to llto the desired level. 'Ihe actuating mechanism is timed so that, after the filling has occurred, the valve is again turned to withdrawal position. It will thus be seen that the measuring 5 chamber comprises, in the combination here disclosed, what may be designated as a liquid lost motion devicewhich overcomes any irregularities in the speed of operation of the washing mechanism or delivery of the detergent due `to changes 0 in viscosity or otherwise. It will be obvious that the connections are all made large so that the measuring chamber will ll and empty in very much less than the time available.

By adjustingthe level of the float chamber I3 with respect to the level of the measuring chamber, the amount of detergent dispensable in any given cycle can be varied within the limits of the size of the measuring chamber. `Where desired, the measuring chamber may be made adjustable instead of the oat chamber, this being purely a .matter of convenience. It has generally been found that it is simpler to adjust the level of the oat chamber, particularly Where the lever arm 25 is connected to automatic actuating mechamsm. i

At the start of any washing cycle the lever arm 25 may be operated manually to introduce any desired amount of detergent solution to produce a desired concentration thereof in the washer. After the operation has commenced,v the machine automatically maintains this concentration.

The valves employed are particularly advantageous because they are always either open completely or closed completely and therefore do not clog because of evaporation of solvent.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A dispensing device for detergent solutions comprising a yreservoir for a detergent solutioma l oat chamber connected therewith, a graduated measuring chamber connlected with the float chamber, means for varying therelative'heights of the float chamber and measuring chamber whereby the amount of detergent dispensable from the measuring chamber may be varied, a discharge opening from the measuring chamber, and a three-way valve connecting the oat chamber, measuring chamber, and discharge opening.

2. The combination of a graduated measuring chamber for liquid, a oat chamber having a float valve adapted to maintain a liquid level therein, a flexible tubeconnecting the measuring chamber and float chamber, a Adischarge outlet, a three way valve adapted alternately to connect the measuring chamber to the float chamber, and to the discharge opening, means for raising or lowering the float chamber in relation tothe measuring chamber, whereby the volume of liquid in the measuring chamber may be varied, and means for supplying fresh solution to the oat chamber. CLARK M. MOORE. 

